The 2nd Floor has been fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with one particular patient since opening. This patient has had just about every experience one could have and at times can be very challenging. His disease process was one that could not be changed other than a double lung transplant. Over the course of the 4 years the likelihood of that happening was becoming smaller and smaller, and his ability to bounce back from these events became harder and harder. There became a point where the transplant was no longer an option and palliative/comfort care were the only option left.

As a young male with a family, this decision was not easy and there were many conversations with the patient's family who acknowledged they were ready, but they needed the patient to say he was ready. Conversations ensued and finding out what the patient wanted was a priority. It turned out what he wanted was to be able to celebrate his daughter's birthday at the end of November. Many who were providing his care agreed that the likelihood of him being present was not possible and the suggestion came up that we have his daughter's birthday celebration in the patient's hospital room - and that's when the magic began.

Nurses made arrangements with the help of Case Management and our Chaplain to make this happen. Everyone chipped in to help create the best birthday for this patient's daughter. Brandi baked a spectacular chocolate cake topped with strawberries and chocolate lace, others provided decorations and gifts for his daughter to help make it a festive occasion. The room was decorated and ready to go by 6pm...decorated with balloons, streamers, Happy Birthday signs, presents, cake and of course at the patient's request, Mountain Dew! Pizza, friends and family arrived and the festivities began!

I saw the patient and his mom this morning and they were very thankful for the thoughtful gestures on everyone's part to ensure that his daughter/her granddaughter had the best birthday ever. The patient's mother shared photos with me and kept repeating "look how happy she is." It melted my heart and made me so very proud of the staff here on the 2nd floor. Not only the nurses but everyone who helped out.

It's easy on a busy day or unit to say, "yah that would be nice, but we don't have time." When our patient shared what he wanted and the collaboration made it happen, there was no stopping them. This is an example of how strong our relationship with our patients and families are, our collaborative efforts not only with patients and families, but members of our patient care teams, and our dedication to help make a positive memory for what's going to be a very sad ending...a 12-year old girl that no longer has her father.

I am happy to report that today's conversation was not sad, it was joyous and happy as they shared the story with us about how the nurses and others gave his daughter the best birthday ever. In addition, there is a strong sense of peace when one enters his room now.